Indonesian National Day

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SELAMAT HARI KEMERDEKAAN INDONESIA17 AGUSTUS 1945 – 17 AGUSTUS 2013HAPPY INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY


August is a very special month for all Indonesians. On August 17, the people of the Republic of Indonesia celebrate Indonesian National Day. This commemorates Indonesian Independence, which was first declared on August 17, 1945 by Soekarno, the first President of Indonesia. The written declaration is called the “Proklamasi” or proclamation.

Independence Day does not only celebrate Indonesian freedom from colonialism. It is also a time to celebrate the amazing cultural and historical wealth of Indonesian "Unity in Diversity". Many couples choose to marry on Independence Day. It is a day to be joyous and happy. it is a day for family, friends and communities to come together to express the pride in their identity as a nation. Students, Government Officials, the Army, the Police and everyone, who wants to participate in the festivities, has the opportunity to do so in a great variety of ways. Ceremonies are held in the streets, in town squares, in football fields and on school grounds. Many parades, festivals, competitions and fun games are held for young and old.

This year marks 68 years of Indonesian Independence: 17th August 1945 - 17th August 2013.



People young and old really enjoy celebrating Indonesian National Day. Several days before August 17, they start the celebrations by participating in a wide variety of traditional games. These include: The Marble Race, The Coin Bite, The Water Hit, The Tug-of-War, Buffalo Racing, The Greased Pole, Eating Prawn Crackers and Sack Races to mention a few!
The Marble Race

The participant of the game holds a spoon in his or her mouth, which has a marble on it. They have to race, either by walking or running. The participant must not drop the marble and the first to reach the finish line is the winner.
The Coin Bite

Coins are half embedded into a water melon, a papaya or a Jeruk Bali (very big orange fruit), which is painted black. The participants have to try to "bite" as many coins as possible out of the fruit. The one who collects the most coins wins.

The Water Hit

Plastic bags, filled with water are hung a few steps in front of the starting line. The contestants’ eyes are are covered with scarves. They must try to walk blindfolded from the starting line and smash as many plastic bags as possible, with a banana leaf stem, before they reach the finish line. The winner is the person who smashes the most plastic bags filled with water.

The Tug-of-War

This is just like the game tug-of-war that we know in Australia!

Buffalo-Racing

This is an Independence Day tradition in many rural areas of Indonesia!
The Greased Pole

Another traditional Indonesian National Day game is one where the contestants have to try to climb poles, that have been greased with palm oil!
Eating Prawn Crackers

This game is for adults and children, and is similar to many Australian games, whereby things like pieces of fruit are hung from a piece of string, from a line. People then have to stand with their hands behind their backs and compete to see who can finish eating the item first!

There are many other types of games, many of which are familiar to us in Australia, such as the sack race!

These games are not only a lot of fun, but there are also prizes like money, stationery, chickens, and many other types of things that are provided by the neighbourhood committee.